Mourne Local Studies Group World War II Talk

Mourne Local Studies Group Kilkeel had a really interesting and informative meeting when Jon Morrison Local Tour Guide and Woodland trust volunteer in Mourne Park gave a talk entitled “Granite and Grit” Mourne’s World War II Contribution.

He began by telling the involvement of Newry when a Welsh regiment and the Lancaster Fusiliers were shipped in through Newry for training prior to setting off to fight in Europe and how Newry Home Guard were very important in protecting the border from possible German incursions from neutral Ireland. Smith and Pearson factory in Newry was very important building tank landing crafts in a workshop in Merchant Quay

The tanks in question were prominent in the D-Day invasion. He then went on to Warrenpoint and detailed how Narrow Water Castle grounds were used for training for American soldiers. The soldiers paraded at fairs that were organised in the town square for the locals as well as a mobile dentist that was set up to tend to the needs of the troops.

Smith and Pearson in 1944 set up a building operation in the Warrenpoint Shipyard Co. Ltd.  They built 20 L.C.T. Mk. 4’s (Tank Landing Craft) before moving on to the Mk. 8’s in 1945 which were then converted into cargo vessels and small tankers after the war.

Rostrevor also played its part training the soldiers for the beach landings on D Day as its beach, walls and shallow water were similar to the conditions which would be met. High ranking officials were thought to have stayed in Rostrevor House and Royal visits by the Duke of Gloucester and the King and Queen have been recorded. Newcastle proved to be a very accessible point as the train service allowed troop movement in both directions and the American soldiers were said to have particularly liked Newcastle.

Murlough allowed the troops to experience beach and sand dune training as well as coastal defence experience. Seaforde House had a gas training centre. Troops stationed in Ballykinlar seen many major visitors including Royalty and General Eisenhower.

However most of his talk was based on the Kilkeel area. It centred on 2 main areas. Greencastle airfield at Cranfield and Mourne Park. Building of the airfield began in January 1942 after locals had been given a very short time to move out of the area. RAF Greencastle was officially opened in April 1942 with the arrival of 285 squadron to use as a bomber training base with a main runway of 1.5miles long parallel to the sea. The photo shows there were two runways but at a later stage a third runway was added. It was transferred to the USAAF on 3rd August 1943 for use as a Combat Crew Replacement centre and became the largest base for US personnel in Northern Ireland being designated as AAF station 237. There were around 450 buildings erected of various shapes and sizes and at a safe distance from the Ammunition & Bomb Stores and Runways. There was also parking areas for planes and it is said there were over 100 planes stored and being converted at some stages.

Greencastle Airfield

President Dwight D Eisenhower flew in on 17th May 1944 to inspect the troops. He was met General Stafford LeRoy Irwin and members of 5th Infantry Division. After D Day on 6th June 1944 the airfield was run down and training ceased in September 1944 when it was used for storage of worn out aircraft. It was returned to RAF in 1945, closed down and returned to the landowners.

Mourne Park was used by both British and American troops during World War II as a military base and training ground. From 1942 to 1944 it is estimated that 2,500 US troops were housed in Nissen huts some of whose bases can still be seen from the concrete walkway today. Prior to that British troops were stationed there and in April 1941 the Duke of Gloucester paid them a visit. The Officers Mess for American Officers was in the main house before the troops set of for France and a lookout post was set up on Knockcree to monitor German aircraft. There was a post office, kitchen and cinema on site. Lady Kilmorey hosted a dinner in the Royal Hotel for all the GI brides before they left Kilkeel. The 5th Infantry Division of US Army were based here just before the Normandy landings. To make sure no could use their equipment when they had gone they buried it on the estate. Recently with his work with the Woodland trust Jon has found a number of trees on the estate on which the soldiers had carved their names and dates of their time there. It has been possible to trace W Anderson Sept 4 1942 and source a picture of the soldier.

Map of Nissen huts in Mourne Park

Everyone attending agreed this was an excellent evening full of information. The next meeting of the group will take place on Tuesday 2nd December 2025 at 8pm in MGF Lower Square when Sinead McAleavey will entertain the group with A Night of Storytelling. Non members are welcome to attend for fee of £5.